Liquid crystal display device

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display device is configured such that a liquid crystal layer is held between a pair of substrates. The liquid crystal display device includes, in a display area including a plurality of pixels, pixel electrodes which are disposed in association with the respective pixels, a counter-electrode which is disposed to be opposed to the pixel electrodes via the liquid crystal layer, scanning lines which are disposed along a row direction of the pixels, signal lines which are disposed along a column direction of the pixels, and an electrically conductive layer which is disposed to be opposed to the counter-electrode via the liquid crystal layer between neighboring ones of the pixel electrodes, and has such a potential as to provide a black display voltage relative to a potential of the counter-electrode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromprior Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-000578, filed Jan. 7, 2008,the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a liquid crystal displaydevice, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device whichprevents light leak between pixels.

2. Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display device, which is a representative one offlat-panel display devices, includes a liquid crystal display panelwhich is configured such that a liquid crystal layer is held between anarray substrate and a counter-substrate which are attached to each othervia a sealant. The liquid crystal display panel includes pixels whichare arrayed in a matrix on a display area.

In this liquid crystal display panel, in some cases, light leak occursbetween pixels. To cope with this problem, there is proposed a liquidcrystal display panel including a light-blocking layer, i.e. a blackmatrix (BM), which is disposed in a lattice shape on thecounter-substrate side in order to prevent light leak between pixels(Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2006-208530).

In the above-described structure in which the black matrix is disposedon the counter-substrate side, it is necessary to take into accountmisalignment between the array substrate and the counter-substrate, andlight leak between pixels at a time of viewing in an oblique direction.In this structure, it is necessary to increase the width of the blackmatrix, and there may be a case in which a width of 10 μm or more isneeded. Thus, there is such a problem that the ratio of an openingportion (“aperture ratio”), through which light from each pixel passes,decreases.

In particular, in recent years, a liquid crystal display panel which ismounted on, e.g. mobile phones, has an increasing demand for higherfineness and has a tendency that the pixel decreases. For example, in aliquid crystal display panel with 250 ppi (pixel per inch), the size ofone dot (i.e. a set of an R pixel, a G pixel and a B pixel) is about 100μm, and the size of a sub-pixel (e.g. an R pixel unit element) is about30 μm, that is ⅓ of the size of the dot. In this high-fineness panel, ablack matrix with a large width may become a major factor of a decreasein aperture ratio.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of theabove-described problem, and the object of the invention is to provide aliquid crystal display device which can improve an aperture ratio andrealize a good display quality, while preventing light leak betweenpixels.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aliquid crystal display device which is configured such that a liquidcrystal layer is held between a pair of substrates, the liquid crystaldisplay device, in a display area including a plurality of pixels,comprising: pixel electrodes which are disposed in association with therespective pixels; a counter-electrode which is disposed to be opposedto the pixel electrodes via the liquid crystal layer; scanning lineswhich are disposed along a row direction of the pixels; signal lineswhich are disposed along a column direction of the pixels; and anelectrically conductive layer which is disposed to be opposed to thecounter-electrode via the liquid crystal layer between neighboring onesof the pixel electrodes, and has such a potential as to provide a blackdisplay voltage relative to a potential of the counter-electrode.

The present invention can provide a liquid crystal display device whichcan improve an aperture ratio and realize a good display quality, whilepreventing light leak between pixels.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the general description given above and the detaileddescription of the embodiments given below, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of a liquid crystal displaypanel of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view that schematically shows the structure of pixelsin the liquid crystal display panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line III-III in FIG. 2,showing a cross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal display panelshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2,showing a cross-sectional structure of the liquid crystal display panelshown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the structureof a liquid crystal display panel of a liquid crystal display deviceaccording to a comparative example for comparison with the presentembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention will now be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

As is shown in FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display device includes a liquidcrystal display panel 100. The liquid crystal display panel 100comprises a pair of substrates, namely, an array substrate 200 and acounter-substrate 300, and a liquid crystal layer 400 which is heldbetween the array substrate 200 and the counter-substrate 300.

The array substrate 200 and counter-substrate 300 are attached via asealant 110, and a predetermined gap for holding the liquid crystallayer 400 is formed between the array substrate 200 andcounter-substrate 300. The liquid crystal display panel 100 includes adisplay area 120, which displays an image, within a region surrounded bythe sealant 110. The display area 120 is composed of a plurality ofdisplay pixels PX which are arrayed in a matrix.

The array substrate 200 includes, in the display area 120, a pluralityof scanning lines Y (1, 2, 3, . . . , m) which are disposed in a rowdirection of the pixels PX, a plurality of signal lines X (1, 2, 3, . .. , n) which are disposed in a column direction of the pixels PX, switchelements 220 which are disposed at intersection parts between the signallines X and scanning lines Y in the respective pixels PX, and pixelelectrodes 230 which are disposed in the respective pixels PX and areconnected to the switch elements 220.

The counter-substrate 300 includes, in the display area 120, acounter-electrode 330 which is common to the plural pixels PX in such amanner that the counter-electrode 330 is opposed to the pixel electrodes230 via the liquid crystal layer 400.

The liquid crystal display panel 100 includes a connection section 131which is disposed on an outer peripheral section 130 that is locatedoutside the display area 120. The connection section 131 is connectable,for example, to a driving IC chip functioning as a signal supply sourceand to a flexible wiring board. In the example shown in FIG. 1, theconnection section 131 is disposed on an extension section 200A of thearray substrate 200, which extends outward from an end portion 300A ofthe counter-substrate 300.

The scanning lines Y (1, 2, 3, . . . , m), which are disposed on thedisplay area 120, are connected to the connection section 131 via theouter peripheral section 130. The signal lines X (1, 2, 3, . . . , n)are similarly connected to the connection section 131 via the outerperipheral section 130.

Next, referring to FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, the structures of the arraysubstrate 200 and counter-substrate 300 are described in greater detail.

The array substrate 200 is formed by using a light-transmissiveinsulating substrate 210 such as a glass substrate.

Each of the switch elements 220 is composed of, e.g. a thin-filmtransistor (TFT) which includes a semiconductor layer 221 such as anamorphous silicon film or a polycrystalline silicon film.

A gate electrode 222 of the switch element 220 is covered with a gateinsulation film 223. The gate electrode 222 is connected to the scanningline Y (or the gate electrode 222 is formed integral with the scanningline Y). The gate electrode 222 and scanning line Y are formed of, e.g.molybdenum-tungsten (MoW). The gate insulation film 223 is formed of,e.g. a silicon oxide (SiO) film or a silicon nitride (SiN) film. Thesemiconductor layer 221 is disposed on the gate insulation film 223, anda channel region of the semiconductor layer 221 is covered with aprotection film 224.

A source electrode 225 of the switch element 220 is put in contact withthe semiconductor layer 221 via a low-resistance film 226. The sourceelectrode 225 is connected to the signal line X (or the source electrode225 is formed integral with the signal line X). A drain electrode 227 ofthe switch element 220 is put in contact with the semiconductor layer221 via a low-resistance film 228. The source electrode 225, drainelectrode 227 and signal line X are formed of, e.g. a multi-layerstructure in which molybdenum (Mo)/aluminum (Al)/molybdenum (Mo) layersare stacked in the named order.

The source electrode 225 and drain electrode 227 are covered with aninterlayer insulation film 229. The interlayer insulation film 229 isformed of, e.g. silicon nitride (SiN). The interlayer insulation film229 is covered with an insulation film (e.g. organic insulation film(hard resin coat)) 240.

The pixel electrode 230 is disposed on the insulation film 240 and iselectrically connected to the drain electrode 227 via a contact hole 231which is formed in the interlayer insulation film 229 and insulationfilm 240. The pixel electrode 230 is formed of a light-transmissiveelectrically conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) orindium zinc oxide (IZO).

The counter-substrate 300 is formed by using a light-transmissiveinsulating substrate 310 such as a glass substrate. A color display typeliquid crystal display device includes a plurality of kinds of pixels,for instance, a red pixel that displays red (R), a green pixel thatdisplays green (G), and a blue pixel that displays blue (B). In thisliquid crystal display device, the counter-substrate 300 includes, inthe display area 120, a color filter layer 320 on one major surface ofthe insulating substrate 310 (i.e. a surface facing the liquid crystallayer 400). Specifically, the counter-substrate 300 includes, on theinsulating substrate 310, a red color filter which passes light with aprincipal wavelength of red in association with the red pixel, a greencolor filter which passes light with a principal wavelength of green inassociation with the green pixel, and a blue color filter which passeslight with a principal wavelength of blue in association with the bluepixel.

The counter-electrode 330 is disposed on the color filter layer 320 inthe display area 120. The counter-electrode 330 is formed of alight-transmissive, electrically conductive material such as ITO or IZO.

Those surfaces of the array substrate 200 and counter-substrate 300,which face the liquid crystal layer 400, are covered with alignmentfilms (not shown) for controlling the alignment of liquid crystalmolecules included in the liquid crystal layer 400. The outer surfacesof the array substrate 200 and counter-substrate 300 are provided withoptical elements (not shown) including polarizers which havepolarization directions that are set in accordance with thecharacteristics of the liquid crystal layer 400.

Further, the liquid crystal display device includes a backlight unit BLwhich illuminates the liquid crystal display panel 100 from the outersurface side of the array substrate 200.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the pixel electrode 230 is disposed suchthat end portions thereof do not overlap the signal line X and scanningline Y via various insulation films (gate insulation film 223,interlayer insulation film 229 and insulation film 240). Specifically,as shown in FIG. 2, in the major plane of the array substrate 200, thepixel electrode 230 is disposed at a position that is displaced from aposition opposed to the signal line X and scanning line Y. Specifically,in the cross section of the array substrate 200, the pixel electrode 230is disposed at a position with a displacement from a positionimmediately above the signal line X and scanning line Y. In this manner,the signal line X is disposed between the pixel electrodes 230 whichneighbor in the row direction, and the scanning line Y is disposedbetween the pixel electrodes 230 which neighbor in the column direction.

In addition, the array substrate 200 includes an electrically conducivelayer 260. The conductive layer 260 is disposed between the neighboringpixel electrodes 230, and is opposed to the counter-electrode 330 viathe liquid crystal layer 400. The conductive layer 260 is supplied withsuch a potential that a black display voltage Vb is produced relative tothe potential of the counter-electrode 330. The conductive layer 260,for example, is led out of the display area 120, and is connected to adriver via a common wiring line. The driver outputs a voltage with sucha potential as to constantly provide the black display voltage Vb to theconductive layer 260 when the liquid crystal display device is in an ONstate.

When the conductive layer 260 is supplied with such a potential as toprovide the black display voltage Vb, the black display voltage Vb isapplied to the liquid crystal layer 400 by the potential differencebetween the conductive layer 260 and the counter-electrode 330 betweenthe neighboring pixel electrodes 230. By the application of the blackdisplay voltage Vb, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules iscontrolled and black display is effected. Thereby, light blocking can beeffected between the pixel electrodes 230.

In short, the conductive layer 260 can be used as a black matrix forlight blocking between the pixel electrodes 230, that is, between thepixels PX. Therefore, according to this structure, in order to preventlight leak between the pixels PX, there is no need to give considerationto misalignment between the array substrate 200 and counter-substrate300, and sure inter-pixel light blocking can be effected withoutdisposing a large-width black matrix. In addition, even when the liquidcrystal display panel 100 is viewed in an oblique direction, light leakbetween pixels can be prevented.

Hence, the aperture ratio can be improved. Moreover, a decrease incontrast ratio due to light leak between pixels can be suppressed, and agood display quality can be obtained.

In the example shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the conductive layer 260 isdisposed between the interlayer insulation film 229 and insulation film240. In this structure, since the insulation film 240 lies between theliquid crystal layer 400 and conductive layer 260, it is necessary totake into account the loss in the insulation film 240 in order to applythe black display voltage Vb to the liquid crystal layer 400. In otherwords, in the case of applying Vb as the black display voltage to thepixel electrode 230, it is preferable to supply the conductive layer 260with a voltage higher than Vb, i.e. (Vb+α). The value of α is determinedby the material and thickness of the insulation film 240.

Such a voltage may be an AC voltage. Specifically, when the potential ofthe counter-electrode 330 is Vcom, the conductive layer 260 may besupplied with a voltage (Vcom±(V+α)). In this case, the voltage that isapplied to the conductive layer 260 becomes a rectangular wave having afrequency which is substantially equal to a driving frequency of theliquid crystal display panel 100, e.g. 60 Hz.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the conductive layer 260 is composed ofa conductive layer 260A which is disposed in the column direction, and aconductive layer 260B which is disposed in the row direction. Theconductive layer 260A is disposed so as to overlap the signal line X viathe interlayer insulation film 229. The conductive layer 260A isdisposed above the signal line X and is disposed below the pixelelectrode 230. The conductive layer 260B is disposed so as to overlapthe scanning line Y via the interlayer insulation film 229. Theconductive layer 260B is disposed above the scanning line Y and isdisposed below the pixel electrode 230. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4,the conductive layers 260A and 260B are electrically insulated from thescanning line Y, signal line X and pixel electrode 230, and are disposedand integrally formed between the interlayer insulation film 229 andinsulation film 240.

Preferably, the width of the conductive layer 260 should be set to begreater than the spacing between neighboring pixel electrodes 230 inconsideration of the misalignment between the pixel electrode 230 andconductive layer 260. Specifically, the conductive layer 260 shouldpreferably be disposed so as to overlap end portions of the neighboringpixel electrodes 230 via the insulation layer.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the conductive layer 260A isformed such that the width W1 thereof is greater than the spacing SP1between the pixel electrodes 230 which neighbor in the row direction. Inother words, the conductive layer 260A is disposed so as to overlap endportions 230A of the pixel electrodes 230 which neighbor in the rowdirection.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the conductive layer 260B is formedsuch that the width W2 thereof is greater than the spacing SP2 betweenthe pixel electrodes 230 which neighbor in the column direction. Inother words, the conductive layer 260B is disposed so as to overlap endportions 230B of the pixel electrodes 230 which neighbor in the columndirection.

Since the conductive layers 260A and 260B are supplied with such apotential as to produce the black display voltage Vb relative to thepotential of the counter-electrode 330, light blocking can be effectedin the gap between the pixel electrodes 230 which neighbor in the rowdirection and also light blocking can be effected in the gap between thepixel electrodes 230 which neighbor in the column direction.

The conductive layer 260 should preferably be formed of alight-transmissive, electrically conductive material, such as ITO orIZO, in the above-described structure in which the width of theconductive layer 260 is set to be greater than the spacing between theneighboring pixel electrodes 230 and the conductive layer 260 is sodisposed as to overlap the end portions 230A and 230B of the pixelelectrodes 230.

Specifically, in the region where the conductive layer 260 and pixelelectrode 230 overlap, the alignment of liquid crystal molecules issuppressed by the potential difference between the counter-electrode 330and the pixel electrode 230. Since the conductive layer 260 has lighttransmissivity, backlight passes and contributes to display in a statein which a white display voltage is applied between thecounter-electrode 330 and pixel electrode 230. Thus, in the liquidcrystal display panel 100, even if the width of the conductive layer 260is increased in consideration of the misalignment between the pixelelectrode 230 and conductive layer 260, it is possible to prevent adecrease in aperture ratio in the region where the pixel electrode 230and conductive layer 260 overlap.

FIG. 5 shows a comparative example for comparison with the presentembodiment. In a liquid crystal display panel according to thecomparative example, the counter-substrate 300 includes a black matrix340. The black matrix 340 is disposed in the column direction and rowdirection so as to be opposed to wiring portions, such as the signalline X, scanning line Y and switch element 220, via the liquid crystallayer 400. The black matrix 340 is formed of, e.g. a black resinmaterial.

The width of the black matrix 340 is set in consideration ofmisalignment between the array substrate 200 and counter-substrate 300and light leak at a time of viewing in an oblique direction. In theexample shown in FIG. 5, the width L of the black matrix 340, which isopposed to the signal line X, is set at a value which is obtained byadding distances D1 and D2, which are set in consideration of a marginof, e.g. misalignment, to the spacing SP1 between the pixel electrodes230 neighboring in the row direction. Although not shown, the width ofthe black matrix 340, which is opposed to the scanning line Y, is set ata value which is obtained by adding distances, which are set inconsideration of a margin of, e.g. misalignment, to the spacing SP2between the pixel electrodes 230 neighboring in the column direction.

According to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 4, compared to thecomparative example shown in FIG. 5, the width W1 of the conductivelayer 260 can be set to be less than the width L of the black matrix340. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, a decrease inaperture ratio can be suppressed.

In the present embodiment and the comparative example, the consumption(%) of the aperture ratio was measured. In a WVGA (800×480) liquidcrystal display panel with an 8-inch diagonal screen size, theconsumption of the aperture ratio in the present embodiment was improvedby about 6%, compared to the consumption of the aperture ratio in thecomparative example. The effect of suppression of the consumption of theaperture ratio varies depending on the size and resolution of the liquidcrystal display panel. As the size of the liquid crystal display panelis smaller, and as the resolution is higher, the effect of improvementin aperture ratio becomes greater.

As has been described above, according to the present embodiment, theaperture ratio can be improved and the good display quality can berealized, while light leak between pixels is prevented.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the conductive layer 260 is disposed soas to be opposed to the signal line X and scanning line Y in the columndirection and row direction. The structure in this case is desirable,and the effect of improvement of the aperture ratio is highest.Alternatively, however, the conductive layer 260 may be disposed so asto be opposed to either the signal line X or the scanning line Y. In thecase where the conductive layer 260 is disposed in a manner to overlapthe signal line X in the column direction, the black matrix 340 isdisposed so as to be opposed to the scanning line Y in the rowdirection. In the case where the conductive layer 260 is disposed in amanner to overlap the scanning line Y in the row direction, the blackmatrix 340 is disposed so as to be opposed to the signal line X in thecolumn direction. In many cases, the pixel PX has a substantiallyrectangular shape having a short side along the row direction and a longside along the column direction. In such cases, the effect ofimprovement of the aperture ratio is greater when the conductive layer260 is disposed in a manner to overlap the signal line X in the columndirection, than when the conductive layer 260 is disposed in a manner tooverlap the scanning line Y in the row direction.

In the case where the conductive layer 260 is disposed so as to beopposed to the signal line X and scanning line Y in the column directionand row direction, the black matrix is basically needless. However, in acase where a gap occurs between the pixels PX of the color filter layer320 in the counter-substrate 300, it is desirable to dispose the blackmatrix in order to bury the gap. In such a case, there is no need todesign the width of the black matrix in consideration of misalignmentbetween the array substrate 200 and counter-substrate 300. In otherwords, the width of the black matrix can be made less than the width Lof the black matrix 340 in the comparative example. Therefore, even ifthe black matrix is disposed in the counter-substrate 300, the apertureratio can be improved.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

In the present embodiment, the operation mode is not particularlylimited. Applicable modes are, for instance, normally white modes, suchas a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode and an OCB (Optically Compensated Bend)mode, wherein black display is effected by applying a high voltage to aliquid crystal layer, and normally black modes, such as an FFS (FieldFringe Switching) mode and a VA (Vertical Aligned) mode, wherein blackdisplay is effected in a state in which no voltage is applied to aliquid crystal layer or a voltage less than a threshold is applied tothe liquid crystal layer. In particular, in the normally white modeliquid crystal display device, a strong alignment restriction force actson the liquid crystal layer 400 between neighboring pixel electrodes 230due to the black display voltage Vb that is applied between theconductive layer 260 and counter-electrode 330. Accordingly, since thenormally white mode liquid crystal display device is less susceptible tothe effect of the voltage between the pixel electrode 230 andcounter-electrode 330, which is necessary for image display, thedecrease in aperture ratio can further be suppressed.

1. A liquid crystal display device which is configured such that aliquid crystal layer is held between a pair of substrates, the liquidcrystal display device, in a display area including a plurality ofpixels, comprising: pixel electrodes which are disposed in associationwith the respective pixels; a counter-electrode which is disposed to beopposed to a first side of the pixel electrodes via the liquid crystallayer; scanning lines which are disposed along a row direction of thepixels; signal lines which are disposed along a column direction of thepixels; and an electrically conductive layer which is disposed to beopposed to the counter-electrode via the liquid crystal layer betweenneighboring ones of the pixel electrodes, and has such a potential as toprovide a black display voltage relative to a potential of thecounter-electrode, wherein a width of the electrically conductive layeris greater than a spacing between the neighboring ones of the pixelelectrodes, and the electrically conductive layer is disposed in amanner to overlap end portions of the neighboring ones of the pixelelectrodes via an insulation layer, wherein the electrically conductivelayer is formed of a light-transmissive, electrically conductivematerial, the electrically conductive layer is opposed to a second sideof the pixel electrodes, the second side being opposed to the firstside.
 2. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, whereinthe electrically conductive layer is disposed along the column directionand overlaps the signal lines via an insulation layer.
 3. The liquidcrystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the electricallyconductive layer is disposed along the row direction and overlaps thescanning lines via an insulation layer.
 4. The liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal display deviceis a normally white mode liquid crystal display device.
 5. A liquidcrystal display device which is configured such that a liquid crystallayer is held between a pair of substrates, the liquid crystal displaydevice, in a display area including a plurality of pixels, comprising:pixel electrodes which are disposed in association with the respectivepixels; a counter-electrode which is disposed to be opposed to a firstside of the pixel electrodes via the liquid crystal layer; scanninglines which are disposed along a row direction of the pixels; signallines which are disposed along a column direction of the pixels; and anelectrically conductive layer which is disposed to be opposed to thecounter-electrode via the liquid crystal layer between neighboring onesof the pixel electrodes, and has such a potential as to provide a blackdisplay voltage relative to a potential of the counter-electrode,wherein the electrically conductive layer is disposed along the columndirection and overlaps the signal lines via an insulation layer, whereinthe electrically conductive layer is formed of a light-transmissive,electrically conductive material, the electrically conductive layer isopposed to a second side of the pixel electrodes, the second side beingopposed to the first side.
 6. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein the liquid crystal display device is anormally white mode liquid crystal display device.
 7. A liquid crystaldisplay device which is configured such that a liquid crystal layer isheld between a pair of substrates, the liquid crystal display device, ina display area including a plurality of pixels, comprising: pixelelectrodes which are disposed in association with the respective pixels;a counter-electrode which is disposed to be opposed to a first side ofthe pixel electrodes via the liquid crystal layer; scanning lines whichare disposed along a row direction of the pixels; signal lines which aredisposed along a column direction of the pixels; and an electricallyconductive layer which is disposed to be opposed to thecounter-electrode via the liquid crystal layer between neighboring onesof the pixel electrodes, and has such a potential as to provide a blackdisplay voltage relative to a potential of the counter-electrode,wherein the electrically conductive layer which is disposed along therow direction and overlaps the scanning lines via an insulation layer,wherein the electrically conductive layer is formed of alight-transmissive, electrically conductive material, the electricallyconductive layer is opposed to a second side of the pixel electrodes,the second side being opposed to the first side.
 8. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 7, wherein the liquid crystal displaydevice is a normally white mode liquid crystal display device.